7 Movie Soundtracks That Actually Changed Our Lives

No movie is complete without a soundtrack. Sometimes the music is better than the actual movie, and overshadows whatever bad acting or horrible directing takes place. We compiled a list of a variety of movies that in our “professional” unprofessional opinion are some of the best.

1. High School Musical

Say what you will, but this is one of the best movie soundtracks no matter your age. Headlined by a cast that would eventually become world-famous, and spawning stars like Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, High School Musical was truly a game changer. The hit “Stick to the Status Quo” taught us it was ok to break the mold, and the smash “We’re All in This Together” was our senior year anthem. Disney got it right with this one.

2. Juice

The 1992 American crime drama starring Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps was gritty in both the film and on the soundtrack. Featuring hip-hop legends such as, Erik B. and Rakim, Cypress Hill, and Salt-N-Pepa it was heavy hitting. The music was a combination of both West Coast and East Coast sounds providing a dynamic experience while listening to one of the year’s hottest movies.

3. Chicago

So of course a musical is going to be on this list (this is personally our favorite). Starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah (!!) this movie was a knockout, and the music was no less stellar. One of the best scenes is the “Cell Block Tango/ He Had It Comin’” which highlights all the Mistresses of Murder’s Row. From the opening number, “Overture/And All That Jazz” to the closing number, “Nowadays” it’s one of the best movie musicals and one of the reasons it won Best Picture at the 2003 Academy Awards.

4. Trainspotting

The cult favorite film “Trainspotting” was high energy, exhilarating, and almost made you want to try drugs, but not really. It’s a sad story of junkies, lost in the punk/rave scene, forever chasing the high. The funeral scene using Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” is the perfect moment of irony.

5. 8 Mile

The story chronicling the transition of Marshall Mathers III into Eminem is one of the best, and it features original music from the rapper himself. What makes the “8 Mile” soundtrack so successful is that Eminem himself wrote and performed all the music, so it’s an authentic portrayal. Plus, the end battle scene is unreal *chills*.

6. This Is Spinal Tap

Undoubtedly one of the funniest parody movies made, “This Is Spinal Tap” captured the absurdity and glamorous appeal of “glamour rock.” It follows two aging rockers and their attempt at a comeback tour. “Stonehenge” is definitely one of the best songs from the movie, and if you plan on watching this with some friends make sure to turn it up to 11.

7. Lion King

There was no way that “The Lion King” wasn’t going to make this list. From the opening track “Circle of Life” you already knew it was going to be amazing, and I’m getting emotional just thinking about it. Even the super fun to sing along to “Hakuna Matata” is well-known by every 80s and 90s kid out there.

Think I missed any? Comment below.